Aline Necklace | Egyptian Collection

In ancient Egypt both men and women were great lovers of jewellery and adorned themselves with a profusion of charms and amulets. Jewellery indicated status and wealth while offering protection against evil and curses. This protection was extended to the dead as well as the living and was believed to usher in prosperity during the present and the afterlife. Collars and necklaces were made from precious stones each with a symbolic meaning.

The Amethyst Stone

Amethyst owes its name to its wine-red colour. The word “amethyst” comes from the Greek verb amethyein which means “not intoxicated”. The source of the word’s meaning can be found in Greek mythology and the story of the god Bacchus and the maid Amethyst. Ancient Egyptians worked amethysts into amulets as both a form of prayer and protection against harm. It was very common for Pharaohs to have their tomb adorned by the Amethyst gemstone manifesting prosperity and wealth. Ancient Egyptians used the stone as the representative of the zodiac sign of the goat. The goat was considered the enemy of vines and vineyards, and therefore the antidote of wine.

The Citrine Stone

Citrine stones are well known for their magnificent warm colouring and the shining clarity of the polished gems. They can be found in shades ranging from bright yellows to gorgeous tangerines and deep burnt orange colours.The ancient Egyptians believed the colour of the Citrine stone came from the light cast by ‘Ra,’ the ancient Egyptian god of the sun. The Egyptians also associated the Citrine stone with the war goddess Sekhmet as a symbol for sheer power.

The Rhodolite Garnet

The origin of the name “garnet” —“dark red”— can be traced to the Latin phrase “punica granatum,” or “pomegranate,” as the plant’s red seeds are similar in colour to the garnet’s shade of red. Garnet symbolises perseverance and strength and is known as a “commitment stone,” which reinforces tenacity and commitment. The ancient Egyptians hailed garnets as a symbol of life.